*2024 Mocks coming in January!
Updated 4/27
2023 NFL Mock Draft with Trades
1: Carolina Panthers (via Bears)- QB Bryce Young, Alabama
- The Panthers traded up to ensure they get the QB they wanted, and didn’t have the selection dictated to them. Young is their guy and has the talent to be a very good QB at the next level. His leadership and decision making are elite and should help allow him to be productive early.
2: Houston Texans- EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama
- The Texans make a surprise move here passing on a QB, and going with the top EDGE player in this draft. Anderson is a very talented player, but finding a QB still should be the top priority. Houston does have another 1st and other assets to try to land an option later.
3: TRADE: Tennessee Titans (via Cardinals) QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
( Tennessee trades Pick 11 (RD1), Pick 41 (RD2), Pick 147 (RD5), and a 2024 1st to the Cardinals for the Pick 3 (RD1))
- The Cardinals are looking to move back in this draft and stockpile assets as they try to rebuild. They might take slightly less than we typically see for a trade up involving a top QB, but this is well in line with the trade value of the selection.For the Titans they land their future franchise QB in C.J. Stroud and can even look to release Ryan Tannehill to save some money. Stroud has had some questions surrounding him, but at the end of the day he’s got the size, arm talent, production and accuracy on his side. If any team would feel confident in making a move up for Stroud, it would be Mike Vrabel who has strong connections still to Ohio State.
4: Indianapolis Colts- QB Will Levis, Kentucky
- The Colts are looking to come away from this draft with a QB, and though it might have been tempting to trade up for Stroud, it sounds like they are content with multiple options in this spot. With Stroud off the board it comes down to Levis vs Richardson. Richardson has probably the higher upside, but Levis is probably closer to starting.
5: Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)- EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
- If 3 QBs end up in the top 4 picks the Seahawks will be ensured one of the top 2 EDGE prospects in this draft. Wilson is their pick here as they continue to add to their defensive front this offseason.
6: Detroit Lions (via Rams)- CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
- The Lions traded away Jeff Okudah, leaving a clear need at corner. With both Gonzalez and Witherspoon on the board, the Lions will choose between two shutdown stars. Jalen Carter and other Edges are options here, but they can add to their DL with their later 1st and 2nd rd picks.
7: Las Vegas Raiders- CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
- It’s possible the Raiders look to upgrade the offensive line or the interior defensive line, but their secondary is a major issue. Given the level of QBs and receivers in the AFC west the secondary should take top priority.
8: Trade: Philadelphia Eagles (via Falcons)- DL Jalen Carter, Georgia
(The Eagles trade the 10th pick (RD1) and the 94th pick (RD3) for the 8th pick (RD1) from the Falcons.
- The Falcons could simply take a top DL/OL or Bijan Robinson here, but I think they could be tempted to move back just a few spots and pick up a late 3rd. Given their number of needs it makes sense to add an extra top 100 selection.
The Eagles make the move up to land the most talented player in this class in Carter. They lost Hargrave and others in free agency, and can pair Carter with his former Georgia teammate Jordan Davis, for a formidable front for years to come.
9: Chicago Bears (via Panthers)- OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
- I think the Bears will take a long look at Carter if he slides to here and some of the top EDGE players, but if they can take the top LT prospect in this class that seems like a big win. Johnson can be a very strong starting LT in this league, and will go a long way for making Justin Fields life easier.
10: Atlanta Falcons (via Eagles from the Saints)- RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
- The Falcons slide back a couple spots and still land an impact player in Robinson. Running back isn’t their biggest need, but it’s tough to pass up a talent like Robinson. Arthur Smith had a lot of success in Tennessee with Derrick Henry, and Robinson could have a similar impact for the Falcons fortune.
11: Arizona Cardinals (via Titans) – EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
- The Cardinals still land a very good pass rusher in Smith, which is desperately needed after Watt retired and Zach Allen left in free agency.
12: Trade: Pittsburgh Steelers (via Texans from Browns)- OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
(Pittsburgh trades the 17th pick (RD1), the 80th pick (RD3), and a 2024 5th round pick for the 12th pick (Rd1) from Houston)
- The Texans pass on a QB again with this pick, but actually trade back and add more assets.
The Steelers make the move here to land a high upside LT. Many of the top tackle prospects project better on the right side or inside at guard, so if Pittsburgh wants a true LT they will likely need to move up.
13: Green Bay Packers (via Jets)- OT/OG Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
- With jumping up a few spots I think the Packers will look to add a top offensive lineman with this selection. Skoronski can play either tackle spot, but might be the best guard prospect in this class. That could be his ultimate home, and gives Green Bay some versatility as they take a player with ties to the organization.
14: Trade: Detroit Lions (via Patriots)- QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
(Detroit trades the 18th pick (Rd1), 81st (Rd3), and 183rd (Rd6) for the 14th pick from New England)
- The Patriots are always a wild card, and probably could take a couple different solid options with this pick. I do see them willing to move back with some of the top OL off the board.
For the Lions they have a chance to add a future franchise QB in Richardson for a pretty reduced cost. This is a good landing spot for Richardson as he can sit for the year behind Goff and develop as part of a very strong offense. The Lions still have their pair of 2nd round picks to continue to improve their defense.
15: New York Jets (via Packers)- OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
- The Jets could look at EDGE’s here, but I think protecting Aaron Rodgers is the best call here. Wright profiles best on the right side or even at guard, but he could play LT if that is what the Jets need. I think the versatility will be a big draw here.
16: Trade: Buffalo Bills (via Commanders)- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
(Buffalo trades the 27th pick (RD1), 59th pick (RD2) and 130th pick (RD4) for the 16th pick (RD1) and 150th pick (RD5) from Washington.)
- With the top 4 offensive linemen off the board I think Washington will look to move back to add some assets. They pick up a late 2nd and 20 spots from their 5th round to the late 4th.
For the Bills they make the big move up to land the top WR in this class. Smith-Nijiba is an excellent slot receiver prospect who could fill a big need in Buffalo’s offense. A receiving trio of Diggs, JSN and Gabe Davis will go a long way to keeping this offense at the top of the league.
17: Houston Texans (via Steelers)- EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
- The Texans double up at pass rusher here, but it makes sense as it’s their biggest need outside of QB and a strength of this class. With Anderson and Van Ness the Texans have a chance to quickly have one of the better pass rush groups in the league.
18: New England Patriots (via Lions)- CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
- New England could go in a few directions, but I like the idea they take value here in Porter Jr., he can be a strong defensive answer to the elite passing attacks in the division.
19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers- OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
- The Buccaneers are one of the toughest teams to predict right now as they could be in total rebuilding mode. Adding a good offensive lineman has to be on their shortlist, as they need a tackle to pair with Wirfs.
20: Seattle Seahawks- WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
- The Seahawks could look to bolster their defensive line, but adding a young receiver to go along with Metcalf and Lockett is a good move here. The Seahawks offense is poised to be among the best in the league.
21: LA Chargers- WR Jordan Addison, USC
- The Chargers add a talented young receiver to their offense. Though his size and workout numbers will be questioned, Addison is probably the best route runner in this class.
22: Baltimore Ravens- CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
The Ravens could look to adding an offensive piece, but they have big needs at corner as well. Banks is a local prospect and is very ready to play as a rookie.
23: Trade: Houston Texans (via Vikings)- QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
(Houston trades the 33rd pick (Rd2), 80th pick (Rd3) and 188th pick (Rd6) for the 23rd pick (Rd1) from Minnesota)
- The Vikings would probably have kept this pick if a top receiver fell, but if not they could look to move back and collect a few extra picks.
Houston uses their extra draft capital (including the 3rd they picked up earlier) to finally land their QB for the future. Hooker arguably would have been the 2nd or 3rd QB taken if he wasn’t coming off an ACL injury. By all accounts he could be ready by around the start of the season. Even if he needs some time to get up to game speed, he could play the 2nd half of the season for Houston.
24: Jacksonville Jaguars- S Brian Branch, Alabama
- Jaguars might look to add another young EDGE or DL, but I like how Branch could fit in on this defense. He is a good hybrid slot corner/safety, with excellent instincts.
25: New York Giants- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
- I see the Giants looking to build up their defense with a good young corner. Wide receiver remains a need, but it might not be at the top of their list.
26: Dallas Cowboys- TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
- This should be an easy choice for the Cowboys as Dalton Schultz left in free agency. Mayer is an instant starter and a nice weapon to add to the passing attack. For the past 3 seasons Dallas’s offense has relied heavily on the TE position so keeping that strength makes sense.
27: Washington Commanders (via Bills)- CB Keelee Ringo, Georgia
- Washington picks up a long athletic corner in Ringo. He can be inconsistent at times, but he has the upside to be a very good starter.
28: Cincinnati Bengals- TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
- The Bengals did add Irv Smith in free agency, but this is potentially the worst the position has been for years. This being the prime of Burrow’s career, adding perhaps the best pass catching TE in the class has to be intriguing.
29: New Orleans Saints (via Broncos thru Dolphins and 49ers)- EDGE B.J. Ojulari, LSU
- The Saints need to start rebuilding their defensive line after losing multiple key players in free agency. Ojulari is a good pass rusher and gives the Saints some of the burst they are currently lacking off the EDGE.
30: Philadelphia Eagles- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
- The Eagles luck out here and land the 2nd best running back in this class. Not only is Gibbs a talented rusher, but he is an excellent weapon out of the backfield in the passing game. Giving the Eagles another key offensive weapon is the last thing the rest of the NFL will want to see.
31: Kansas City Chiefs- WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
- Adding a pass rusher or even an offensive tackle is possible here, but I think Johnston could be too good to pass up. Though he is more raw than you want to see, his size potential and speed give him the upside to be a good X WR in this league. The Chiefs have the luxury of bringing along Johnston a bit slowly, which could benefit him in the long term.
